Flash mob: Berani Sarong with Keretapi Sarong 2014!

Sarong, a piece of cloth synonymous with my childhood and community in Malaysia.

In my early memories as a child, sarong is:- My crib. My bed.Woven soft yet strong.Commonly used as a hanging hammock with spring at the top.Bouncing up and down, like being in a mother's womb, rocking the baby to sleep automatically.
Probably because of that, I'm fond of anything that rocks & bounce like rocking chair, rocking horse and rocking cool events like Keretapi Sarong!

My Pa , a Kampung Boy at heart, wears Sarong like his second skin at home. “Airy & Easy” – he said.
A bit rare for a Chinese; especially in the city. Back in the 80’s-90’s, growing up in Petaling Jaya with a mixture of various race & religion, donning a sarong was as normal as eating an ice cream by the roadside.

Every Friday, it was feast to our eyes as the Muslims men in their sarong & baju Melayu flocked steadily to the nearby mosque for sembahyang Jumaat (Friday prayer). Mostly in plaid or checkered patterns, more plain colors with their Baju Melayu. While the ladies’ version are mostly more colorful and at times with symbolic patterns of flora and fauna. It’s a norm for non-Muslims ladies to wear it but mostly for formal events, ceremonies and on semi-formal attire days on Fridays or Saturdays.

As a kid, watching them hurrying along - Left right left right,The sarong draping along nicely and elegantly,Swaying like streams of rainbows.

Yup. Nostalgic candid memories of growing up. Nowadays, even lesser prefer wearing sarong on daily basis and even for formal celebrations. Modern attire, modern mindset took place.
I for One, I HAVE NEVER WORE A SARONG before!
BUT! I’m a fan of Arts, Crafts, Culture & Flash mob. Been a fan & participant of Flashmobs for Dance & Sleep. So this will be my FIRST TIME joining a Walking Sarong Train Flashmob.
Told everyone – friends, media & online about it.

Calling Cities Around the World to #BERANISARONG #KERETAPISARONG2014

WHAT IS KERETAPI SARONG?

So what has Trains of Long Tube of Cloth got to do that created a GLOBAL EXCITEMENT?
It UNITED all to WEAR SARONG! This year, the #KeretapiSarong goes global as Random Alphabets (RA) invites cities from around the world to participate in the annual #KeretapiSarong which began in Kuala Lumpur back in 2012. #KeretapiSarong is a one day event that invites everyone to dress up in their sarongs and ride the trains; all in the spirit of fun and togetherness.

Bring an umbrellain case it rains & suitable for a sunny day! (or if you accidentally drop your sarong opsy!)

Where to Buy a Sarong?

The average price of a piece of common sarong costs about RM15-30. Easily available at the dry market, pasar malam & normal shops around Jalan TAR, Sungai Wang, Pasar Seni and Masjid Jamek. Made of cotton or with combination of nylon, polyester and other materials. It's easy to wash, dry and handle with care it can last for a good number of years.

Grade, Quality, Price. The higher the more expensive. Usually these are made 100% cotton with mixture of silk, good grade of gold/silver thread. More durable, lasting colors and if handled with care it can last for generations. These are usually available at selected boutiques and shops that specialize in selecting cloths & fabric.

Organized by:

Random Alphabets (RA) is a bizarre participatory arts group that has been turning unity talk into action via forms like flashmobs and guerilla style events since 2008.